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| The PhilSports Arena will remain the Philippines' prime futsal hub as confirmed by PFF chief John Gutierrez. Luis Fabregar (file photo) |
PASIG--Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez confirmed on Thursday that the PhilSports Arena here will remain as a futsal hub for the foreseeable future.
In an interview with Dugout Philippines at the sidelines of a renewed partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission in bolstering football in general, Gutierrez thanked PSC chairman Pato Gregorio for giving them the iconic arena also known as "The Ultra" to further promote futsal.
"Noong nagpre-prepare kami for the (FIFA Futsal Women's) World Cup, ang number one challenge namin was the facility to train or have friendly games, kaya itong tulong na biniyaya ng PSC at ni Chairman na magkaroon kami ng dedicated futsal venue ay napakalaking bagay," Gutierrez said.
"Ngayon, yung training facility nila, world-class na talaga."
Gregorio previously said that the PSC decided to keep the PhilSports Arena's futsal setup used for the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup, the first-ever FIFA World Cup of any kind hosted by the Philippines, for now.
Gutierrez added that the PFF will make the most of the extended opportunity from the PSC beyond the World Cup.
"Di namin sasayangin itong oportunidad na binigay ng PSC at ni Chairman. Gagamitin talaga namin yan. Talagang pupunuin natin ang futsal. It will be very busy, and I hope that, especially here at the metro, more kids take up futsal because may facility na tayo," Gutierrez further said, adding that they will keep on calling the PhilSports Arena their futsal home as long as they could.
The PhilSports Arena will serve as the training ground for the Filipina5 as they compete in the ASEAN Women's Futsal Championship from Feb. 24-March 2 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Also in the PFF's pipeline is an upcoming futsal league with the said arena being the main battleground also starting in February.
